BASI & SCGB

Ian, do you remember my BASI 3 (as it was then) training up on Cairngorm, early May 1988 (I think). I was the oldest even then in the group and definitely not up to standard. Stuart Adamson had encouraged me to do it though. Tons of snow, we even skied powder. Best. Instructor. Ever.
What I loved about your teaching style was the quiet manner and lovely soft Irish accent. It suited me as an introvert. I disliked being yelled at! Back then people may not have pegged me as introverted because I drank so much wine. After 24 years sober I am risking a glass or two of wine with dinner and the occasional beer in my old age…
When you and Jane started McGarry THE Ski System in Chatel I came with John Stephens (aka ‘The Prof’) in order to write a story about your chalet-based instruction ski hols for Ski Survey at The Ski Club of Great Britain. What a delightful place Chalet Chataigne was with your two little girls (so cute) and an assistant instructor…I think it was that lovely boy who had cystic fibrosis. Then there was Derek Tate of course … Tamsen looked like Jane and Kirsty the image of you.
I remember too many dinners out on chalet girls’ night off as well as weekly trips to the hot springs (somewhere near Morgins) and skiing with the inventor of Piste Poles.
I still have a copy of my Skilegs pre-ski conditioning book that Jane illustrated so nicely.
Not sure of the order of events but probably 1990 back in Cairngorm I was there failing BASI 3 with Richard Harrison (second time was luckier) and I roomed with Jane who was doing BASI 1. I think we were a great support for each other. She had this thing to buoy her up in the mornings. She absolutely HAD to play The Bangles Eternal Flame (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSoOFn3wQV4) every day. Bless her!!
After that first ‘press trip’ to Chatel you guys were kind enough to invite me and John on an annual basis. I would suggest inviting other folks I could write about and you promote as a special extra to the guests: Extreme Skiing with Pierre Tardivel was one and applied kinesiology and boot fitting with Matthew Bennett, my chiropractor from Brighton.
Did you know that I used to call you Ian McGuru…for obvious reasons?
All my old photo albums are buried (lost?) deep in one of our storage garages but I have asked my current husband, Rolf, to look for them and I will add them to your website.
In the meantime here are some old ones I found and scanned …
I really hope to get over and see you in Dalkey sometime soon. Jane is always reiterating her invitation!

  • Tessa Coker

I’ve skied in Aviemore

Anyone who is anyone in ski teaching in the old days knew that ISIA was short for “I’ve Skied In Aviemore” not the “ International Ski instructors Association.” At the end of every winter BASI Instructors from around the world would congregate on Coire Cas for the final two weeks of skiing of the season for the Spring BASI course. In those days Scotland enjoyed long ski seasons and this training took place during the last week of April and first week in May . In the 1970’s and 80’s there was always good snow, amazing moguls and lots of good craic in the Aviemore pubs.

It was here where I met you Ian. I look back with fond memories of those wonderful Spring courses. I hope Ian you may remember some of the old characters . Happy times , thank you

  • Bob Kinnaird

You’re a Legend!

Happy photo of us all enjoying hot chocolate in Morgen . My happiest memory of you Ian is you skiing gracefully down looking like a Ninja Turtle covered in rucksacks and carrying skis on both shoulders after the girls had raced . Always with a happy grin on your face especially when the girls had done well!! You’re a legend Ian xxx

  • Shirley Stevens

A Star Wasn’t Born

In my days working for Salomon back in the 1980’s Davee Mercer and myself were looked after Royal on our trip to Dublin. Ian gave us the VIP visit to the TV studios. Ian was directing / producing the Irish equivalent to Cross Roads. Ian gave Davee and I the opportunity for stardom to enter a bar scene that was being filmed live. In truth I really wanted to do it but bottled it ?. I always remember that and the crabs claws in garlic at the wonderful restaurant Ian and Jane took us to after our failed attempt at stardom.

You looked after us like Royalty and I shall never forget that trip a great memory thanks to you.

I am available for auditions again Ian this time I won’t be a woos

God Bless You

  • Graham Varty

Always keep your feet below your head

I knew nothing of the rest of your career, all that other stuff, other than Ian McGarry ski instructor and legend of Chatel , in fact I just didn’t believe all that other stuff when Chris Weed persuaded me to ask you to sign my BASI acceptance papers, you just said, ‘I’ve seen you skiing around, don’t let me down!!!’ I hope I didn’t! Then came the all time classic comments to perhaps a fellow rebel, ‘you can tell ‘em what you like when you’ve got your ticket!’&’Tell ’em to ski the bumps in a pair of slippers if you think it will help’ and the immortal ‘ always keep your feet below your head’ my whole skiing career was down to you (and Jane) amongst a few others. I would ski the Renard in Pre la Joux and shutes 9 and 10 at the end of the day with Jonathon Miller hoping that you would ride up the chair and pass comment.

  • Tim Fussell

Mark Shapiro

I met Ian in Verbier when he was a Ski Club rep. We became friends skiing together and as a ski model Ian is a member of Team Clambin. I visited him in Dublin where his mom threw us out of her house for watching Diana and Charles wedding

  • Mark Shapiro